New Survey Reports Some Postmenopausal Women Endure Vaginal and Sexual Symptoms of Menopause for More Than Two Years before Discussing with Health Care Professional

RED BANK, N.J., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new HealthyWomen
survey of postmenopausal women reveals that many of them are
embarrassed to discuss the vaginal and sexual symptoms of menopause
with their health care professional and with their partner. Among
the survey respondents who did discuss their symptoms with their
health care professional, over one quarter said they waited more
than two years before doing so. Many of the postmenopausal women
surveyed who had not spoken with their health care
professional were either too embarrassed or believed incorrectly
that their vaginal and sexual symptoms cannot be addressed
medically.

"There appears to be a general reluctance to discuss or address
the vaginal and sexual symptoms of menopause, unfortunately
resulting in many postmenopausal women learning to live with these
symptoms," said Laura Berman, PhD, assistant clinical professor of
OB-GYN and psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine at
Northwestern University, and one of the survey consultants. "The
lack of communication around these common symptoms often causes
women to just shut down sexually and avoid intimacy altogether.
More than half of the survey respondents who are in a committed
relationship reported that their condition puts a strain on their
sexual relationship."

Survey results indicate that approximately half of the
postmenopausal women surveyed (48 percent) were aware that painful
intercourse is a symptom of menopause, while almost all were aware
of hot flashes and vaginal dryness as symptoms. Vaginal dryness is
a common symptom of menopause, and was experienced by 56 percent of
survey respondents. Painful intercourse, another menopause symptom,
was experienced by 26 percent of respondents. Unfortunately,
painful intercourse, which is said to be one of the most bothersome
symptoms of menopause, typically does not subside without
treatment.

"The survey indicates there is a misconception that little can
be done to alleviate the vaginal dryness that can make sex painful
for some postmenopausal women," said Michael L. Krychman, MD,
Medical Director of Sexual Medicine at Hoag Hospital and Executive
Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and
Survivorship Medicine in Newport Beach, Calif., the other
consultant for the survey. "Painful intercourse and vaginal dryness
are common symptoms of menopause, but unfortunately, they do not go
away on their own and can get worse over time. Women should speak
to their health care professional to discuss safe and effective
treatments that can help to manage these symptoms."

The survey was supported by Pfizer Inc. to help better
understand postmenopausal women's knowledge and attitudes towards
the vaginal and sexual symptoms of menopause.

"The survey results demonstrate the difference between the way
society perceives men's sexual problems and women's. More than half
of the women surveyed thought that there is more openness to
discussing men's physical sexual problems than women's," says
Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, Executive Director of
HealthyWomen. "Our organization encourages women to speak with
their health care professionals about their sexual health and to
explore potential treatment options."

Other Survey Highlights

Perceived stigma associated with menopausal
symptoms

Of the postmenopausal women surveyed, almost one in ten (8
percent) reported they were not aware of women's sexual problems,
such as painful intercourse, while only 3 percent reported they
were not aware of men's sexual problems, such as erectile
dysfunction.

Forty percent of postmenopausal women surveyed felt that
it is taboo in society for a woman to acknowledge that she is
experiencing symptoms of menopause such as vaginal dryness or
painful intercourse.

Vaginal symptoms are being endured

In fact, almost all of the postmenopausal women (93
percent) surveyed who reported experiencing painful intercourse
indicated that they still engage in intercourse, even though it is
painful, with 40 percent engaging in intercourse at least once a
week.

Of the postmenopausal women surveyed who reported engaging
in intercourse even though it is painful, almost three-quarters (73
percent) said they engage in painful intercourse because of their
partner.

Impact on sexual activity

Of the postmenopausal women surveyed, half of those who
reported experiencing vaginal dryness (50 percent) and two-thirds
of those who reported experiencing painful intercourse (66 percent)
indicated that their symptoms make them uninterested in
intercourse.

Awareness of treatment is lacking

Although more than three-quarters of the postmenopausal
women surveyed indicated they were aware of over-the-counter
treatments for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse (78
percent), almost half (46 percent) were not aware that prescription
treatments are available for these conditions.

About the Survey and Methodology

HealthyWomen commissioned the research firm Harris Interactive
to conduct an online custom research survey administered to
postmenopausal women. The online survey was conducted among 1,043
postmenopausal women aged 40 years or older who reside in the U.S.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have
agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. Because the
sample is based on those who have agreed to participate in the
Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated. Online interviews
averaged 13 minutes and took place between April 19 and May 3,
2011. Results were weighted for age, race/ethnicity, education,
region and household income. For additional information on the
survey, visit www.HealthyWomen.org or
www.PersonalMenopauseAnswers.com.

The following consultants each received compensation from Pfizer
for their work on this project:

Dr. Laura Berman,

Dr. Michael Krychman,

medical director of sexual medicine at Hoag Hospital and the
executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual
Health and Survivorship Medicine in Newport Beach, California.

About HealthyWomen

assistant clinical professor of OB-GYN and psychiatry at the
Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

HealthyWomen is the nation's leading independent health
information source for women. For more than 20 years, women have
been coming to HW for answers to their most pressing and personal
health care questions. HW provides health information through our
wide array of online content and print publications that is
original, objective, reviewed and approved by medical experts and
reflects the latest advances in evidence-based health research. Its
award-winning website, www.HealthyWomen.orgÂ®, has been
recognized by ForbesWoman as one of the "Top 100 Websites
for Women" for two consecutive years and was named the top women's
health website by Dr. Mehmet Oz in O, The Oprah Magazine.
For more information, visit www.HealthyWomen.org.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market
research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business
acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight.
Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative
research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of
industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs,
energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media,
retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in
over 215 countries and territories through our North American,
European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market
research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions
that help us â€“ and our clients
â€“ stay ahead of what's next. For more
information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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